}}{{tnr}}'''Steven Lynn Beshear''' (b. September 21, 1944) is a the current [[Democratic]] [[Governor of Kentucky]]. He was first elected in 2007, and won re-election in [[Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2011|2011]]. Beshear had previously served in the [[Kentucky State Legislature|Kentucky House of Representatives]], as the [[Attorney General of Kentucky]] from 1980 to 1984 and as the [[Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky]] from 1984 to 1988.<ref name="office"/>

+

}}{{tnr}}'''Steven Lynn Beshear''' (b. September 21, 1944, in Dawson Springs, [[Kentucky]]) is a the 61st and current [[Democratic]] [[Governor of Kentucky]]. He was first elected in 2007 and sworn into office on December 11, 2007 by [[Kentucky Supreme Court]] Associate Justice Bill Cunningham in a private ceremony in the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort. Beshear is currently serving his second term, having last won re-election in [[Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2011|2011]]. Incumbent [[Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Daniel Mongiardo]] opted to run for U.S. Senate in 2010 rather than seek re-election, and Louisville mayor [[Jerry E. Abramson]] joined Beshear on his re-election ticket. Together, they ran unopposed in the May 17 [[Democratic]] primary, allowing their campaign to build its war chest for the general election struggle against the [[Republican]] team of [[David Williams]] and [[Richie Farmer]]. Ultimately, Beshear and Abramson defeated both pairs of opponents, led by [[David Williams]] (R) and [[Gatewood Galbraith]] (I), in the general election on [[SEO#November|November 8, 2011]].<ref>[http://dailyindependent.com/local/x914495252/Abramson-to-join-Beshear-ticket-for-2011-re-election ''The Daily Independent (Ashland, KY)'', "Abramson to join Beshear ticket for 2011 re-election," July 19, 2009.]</ref>

+

+

By the time he became governor, Beshear had already amassed substantial experience serving in political office for the state of Kentucky. His credits include one term as lieutenant governor, from 1983-1987, another as [[Attorney General of Kentucky]], from 1979-1983, in addition to two terms representing the 76th legislative district in the [[Kentucky State Legislature|Kentucky House of Representatives]], from 1974-1979. <ref name="office"/>

+

+

Prior to entering politics, Beshear served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an intelligence analyst. He also has a law degree.<ref name="office"/>

+

+

Beshear's second term expires December 15, 2015, and he will be barred by term-limits from seeking re-election to a third consecutive term.

==Biography==

==Biography==

Line 74:

Line 80:

====Budget crisis====

====Budget crisis====

When Beshear took office, he inherited a budget crisis from the previous administration. This crisis led to the decision to cut funding in post-secondary education by nearly 15% until the state could increase its revenue stream. As [[Kentucky State Legislature|legislators]] coped with the budget shortfalls, Beshear announced plans on February 15, 2008 for his [[Kentucky Casino Initiative (2008)|casino gambling bill]], which he claimed would generate "several hundred millions of dollars" in tax revenue for the state.<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/NEWS01/80208022/1008/NEWS01 Beshear to unveil casino bill next week] by Tom Loftus, The Courier-Journal, Feb. 08, 2008</ref> The proposal called for up to 12 casinos (some of which would be at existing horseracing facilities like Churchill Downs) which would generate up to $600 million. To get the casino proposal on the ballot in November 2008, the plan needed 3/5 support in both the state house and senate, which Senate President [[David Williams]] gave no chance of happening.<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/NEWS0101/802150415/1008/NEWS01 Kentucky may get up to 12 casinos] by Gregory A. Hall, The Courier-Journal, Feb. 15, 2008</ref>

When Beshear took office, he inherited a budget crisis from the previous administration. This crisis led to the decision to cut funding in post-secondary education by nearly 15% until the state could increase its revenue stream. As [[Kentucky State Legislature|legislators]] coped with the budget shortfalls, Beshear announced plans on February 15, 2008 for his [[Kentucky Casino Initiative (2008)|casino gambling bill]], which he claimed would generate "several hundred millions of dollars" in tax revenue for the state.<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/NEWS01/80208022/1008/NEWS01 Beshear to unveil casino bill next week] by Tom Loftus, The Courier-Journal, Feb. 08, 2008</ref> The proposal called for up to 12 casinos (some of which would be at existing horseracing facilities like Churchill Downs) which would generate up to $600 million. To get the casino proposal on the ballot in November 2008, the plan needed 3/5 support in both the state house and senate, which Senate President [[David Williams]] gave no chance of happening.<ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/NEWS0101/802150415/1008/NEWS01 Kentucky may get up to 12 casinos] by Gregory A. Hall, The Courier-Journal, Feb. 15, 2008</ref>

+

+

====Education and Workforce Committee====

+

In October 2013, Beshear was appointed Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee in the National Governor's Association by NGA Chair [[Oklahoma Governor]] [[Mary Fallin]] and NGA Vice Chair [[Colorado Governor]] [[John Hickenlooper]].<ref>''NGA News Release'' NGA Chooses New Committee Leadership, E-mail communication to [[Ballotpedia:Kristen Mathews|Kristen Mathews]] October 23, 2013</ref>

Beshear was elected Attorney General of [[Kentucky]] in 1979, defeating Republican nominee Ron Snyder with 471,177 votes to Snyder's 302,951, and served as Attorney General from 1980 to 1984.<ref name="office"/>

+

Beshear was elected Attorney General of [[Kentucky]] in 1979, defeating Republican nominee Ron Snyder with 471,177 votes to Snyder's 302,951, and served as Attorney General from 1979 to 1983.<ref name="office"/>

By the time he became governor, Beshear had already amassed substantial experience serving in political office for the state of Kentucky. His credits include one term as lieutenant governor, from 1983-1987, another as Attorney General of Kentucky, from 1979-1983, in addition to two terms representing the 76th legislative district in the Kentucky House of Representatives, from 1974-1979. [2]

Prior to entering politics, Beshear served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an intelligence analyst. He also has a law degree.[2]

Beshear's second term expires December 15, 2015, and he will be barred by term-limits from seeking re-election to a third consecutive term.

Biography

Beshear is a native of Dawson Springs in Hopkins County, KY. His father was a Baptist minister and his mother worked raising Beshear and his four siblings. He earned both a bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Kentucky, and served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an intelligence analyst.[2]

Education

Bachelor's degree - University of Kentucky

Juris Doctor - University of Kentucky

Political career

Governor of Kentucky (2007-Present)

On December 11, 2007, Beshear was sworn in as Kentucky's 61st governor by Kentucky Supreme Court Associate Justice Bill Cunningham in a private ceremony in the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort. Beshear received the oath of office again during a public ceremony on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol later that afternoon. The oath of office was administered during the public ceremony by Associate Justice Mary C. Noble.[3]

Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")

In December, 2012, Beshear declined to enter Kentucky into the federal health-exchange system established under the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as "Obamacare," in favor of setting up a state-based system.[4] Kentucky is one of eighteen states - including Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington - that decided to create and run individual health-exchange systems by the December 14, 2012 deadline. The exchange is an online marketplace for citizens to purchase health insurance.[5][6]

Budget crisis

When Beshear took office, he inherited a budget crisis from the previous administration. This crisis led to the decision to cut funding in post-secondary education by nearly 15% until the state could increase its revenue stream. As legislators coped with the budget shortfalls, Beshear announced plans on February 15, 2008 for his casino gambling bill, which he claimed would generate "several hundred millions of dollars" in tax revenue for the state.[7] The proposal called for up to 12 casinos (some of which would be at existing horseracing facilities like Churchill Downs) which would generate up to $600 million. To get the casino proposal on the ballot in November 2008, the plan needed 3/5 support in both the state house and senate, which Senate President David Williams gave no chance of happening.[8]

Job creation ranking

In a June 2013 analysis by The Business Journals which ranked 45 of the country's 50 governors by their job creation record, Beshear was ranked number 22. The five governors omitted from the analysis all assumed office in 2013. The ranking was based on a comparison of the annual private sector growth rate in all 50 states using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.[10][11]

Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (1983-1987)

In 1983, Beshear was elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky on a Democratic ticket headed by Martha Layne Collins. Beshear defeated Eugene P. Stuart, the running mate of Jim Bunning, 568,869 votes to 321,352.[2]

Attorney General of Kentucky (1979-1983)

Beshear was elected Attorney General of Kentucky in 1979, defeating Republican nominee Ron Snyder with 471,177 votes to Snyder's 302,951, and served as Attorney General from 1979 to 1983.[2]

Elections

2011

Beshear announced he would run for re-election on July 20, 2009, adding that his running mate would be Louisville mayor Jerry E. Abramson; incumbent Lieutenant GovernorDaniel Mongiardo opted to run for U.S. Senate in 2010 rather than seek re-election.[12] Beshear's campaign made significant fundraising progress in 2009 and 2010, entering 2011 with over $3 million in the bank. The ticket went unopposed in the May 17 Democratic primary, allowing it to build its war chest for the general election struggle against the Republican team of David Williams and Richie Farmer.

By mid-June, a month into the general election season, Beshear's team had raised over three times as much as its opponents. Beshear also enjoyed a 21 point advantage over Williams in a June poll.

Beshear won the May 2011 Democratic primary by default when the only other candidate to enter the race left the field. After state Senator David Williams won the Republican nomination, the two faced each other in the November general election.

Ethics complaint

On August 2, 2011, Beshear was accused of violating campaign ethics laws during his re-election campaign by Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson. According to Robertson's complaint, one of Beshear's aides illegally pressured state employees to contribute to his campaign. The allegations are based on the testimony of a state whistleblower, psychologist Rodney Young of the Department of Juvenile Justice, as well as a December 2010 CNHI News story that claimed other employees had been strongly encouraged to contribute. Beshear's campaign called the allegations baseless and politically motivated, and the state Democratic Party filed a counter-complaint against his Republican challenger, State Senate President David Williams.[13][14][15]

2007

On December 18, 2006, Beshear formally announced his candidacy for governor of Kentucky in the 2007 election with State Senator Daniel Mongiardo as his lieutenant governor. With 99% of precincts reporting as of May 23, 2007, Beshear won the primary; each of his opponents conceded the race to him. Because he exceeded 40 percent of the vote, he avoided a runoff.[16] In the general election, Beshear opposed incumbent Governor Ernie Fletcher . Beshear's platform included expanded gambling, which Fletcher opposed due to the social ills he said come with casinos. On November 6, 2007, Beshear defeated Fletcher by a 59% to 41% margin.[17]

1996

Beshear was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in 1996, losing to incumbent Mitch McConnell.
On November 5, 1996, Mitch McConnell won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated Steven L. Beshear (D), Dennis L. Lacy (L), Patricia Jo Metten (Natural Law) and Mac McElroy (U.S. Taxpayers) in the general election.[18]

U.S. Senate, Kentucky General Election, 1996

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Mitch McConnellincumbent

55.5%

724,794

Democratic

Steven L. Beshear

42.8%

560,012

Libertarian

Dennis L. Lacy

0.7%

8,595

Natural Law

Patricia Jo Metten

0.6%

8,344

U.S. Taxpayers

Mac McElroy

0.4%

5,284

N/A

Write-in

0%

17

Total Votes

1,307,046

1987

In 1987, Beshear ran for Governor of Kentucky and lost in a packed Democratic primary field. Beshear won 114,439 votes in the primary, good for a third place finish behind former governor John Y. Brown, Jr.'s 163,204 votes and 221,138 votes garnered by Wallace G. Wilkinson, who went on to win the general election that fall. Beshear placed ahead of former governor Julian Carroll's 42,137 votes and also defeated Grady Stumbo, who won 84,613 votes. Three other candidates combined for an additional 8,187 votes in that primary.
After his defeat in the 1987 election, Beshear practiced law in Lexington, Kentucky.[19]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Beshear is available dating back to 2007. Based on available campaign finance records, Beshear raised a total of $21,676,336 during that time period. This information was last updated on July 11, 2013.[20]

Steve Beshear's Campaign Contribution History

Year

Office

Result

Contributions

2011

Governor of Kentucky*

$9,967,222

2009

Governor of Kentucky*

$666,234

2007

Governor of Kentucky*

$11,042,880

Grand Total Raised

$21,676,336

*These totals are for a joint-ticket campaigns with lieutenant governor running mates.

2007 and 2011

Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of Steve Beshear's donors each year.[21] Click [show] for more information.

Steve Beshear's Campaign Contributions

2011Governor of Kentucky

2007Governor of Kentucky

Total Raised

$9,967,222

$11,042,880

Total Raised by General Election Opponents

$2,645,573

$7,638,800

Top 5 contributions

Kentucky Democratic Party

$1,533,559

Kentucky Democratic Party

$1,376,393

American Electric Power

$3,000

Beshear/Mongiardo 2007

$696,053

Sun Healthcare

$3,000

Frank Mongiardo

$25,000

John McCall

$3,000

Kentucky Society of Interventional Pain Physicians

$3,000

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

$2,500

John McCall

$3,000

Individuals

$7,904,223

$8,398,174

Institutions

$199,820

$140,595

In-state donations

$9,315,974

$10,030,552

Out-of-state donations

$482,225

$1,008,987

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term "Steve + Beshear + Kentucky + Governor"

All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.